Elie Wiesel names student to join PM’s Holocaust Commission

Nobel peace prize winner Elie Wiesel has selected a teenager from Lancashire to join leading figures from politics, business and the arts as a member of the David Cameron’s Holocaust Commission. 

Charlotte Cohen, 17, from Carnforth emerged from more than 800 young Jewish and non-Jewish entrants to an essay writing competition on what steps should be taken to keep the memory of the Shoah alive.

The youngster ­who is studying for A-Levels in maths, economics and history ­will sit alongside Helena Bonham Carter, the Chief Rabbi and other commissioners charged by the prime minister with investigating what more Britain should do to ensure it has a fitting memorial and the right educational resources.

Charlotte ­ wo produced one of six shortlisted essays that from which survivor Wiesel selected a winner – said: I feel honoured to be chosen as the youth advisor to the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission and I’m looking forward to working together to ensure that the Holocaust is commemorated in the UK by future generations. I hope that we can continue to build on the great work carried out by survivors to achieve this.

She will attend meetings in Downing Street and take part in fact-finding visits before the panel submits recommendations to the Prime Minister at the end of the year.

Commission Chair Mick Davis, who also chairs the Jewish Leadership Council, expressed delight at the selection as the panel starts to draft its suggestions.

He added: “Its crucial we ensure young people are part of our work. We received nearly 800 entries to the competition and the standard was incredibly high. I know Charlotte is set to make a significant contribution to the Commission.”

The Chief Rabbi arriving at 10 Downing Street @Number10gov today for a meeting of the #HolocaustCommission pic.twitter.com/w7Hejju8ct

— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) October 20, 2014